Govt calls on elders, parents to guide youth amid rising unrest

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, speaking at the official opening of Mutarakwa and Kapletundo Divisions in Bomet County, urged adults to play a more active role in mentoring youth and instilling respect for Kenya's institutions and legal framework.

“Please let’s counsel our children when they go astray,” Dr. Omollo said. “Kenya is a country of laws, and those who feel aggrieved have a right to vent within the bounds of our laws.”

His remarks come after widespread protests, primarily led by Generation Z demonstrators, that resulted in violent clashes with police, property destruction, and looting.

The PS warned that recent incidents of anarchy, such as the burning of police stations and security vehicles, endanger the country's democratic foundations.

He cautioned that while the youth are right to demand transparency and accountability, their cause has been hijacked by criminal elements determined to destabilize the country.

“We must not allow selfish politicians and individuals to use young people as pawns. They will not be there when the law catches up with you,” Dr. Omollo said, revealing that several individuals linked to the violence will be arraigned in court this week.

The Interior PS also called on elected leaders to rise above political expediency and protect the country's democratic gains over time.

. He emphasized the need to nurture democracy beyond the ballot box by strengthening institutions, promoting civic education, and encouraging responsible political discourse.

“Democracy cannot be reduced to periodic elections alone,” he stated. “We are breeding a culture of impunity when we let such destructive actions go unchallenged. If you have a problem with current leaders, elections are barely two years away — seek the people’s mandate then.”

Omollo further proposed a review of Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, saying such reforms are necessary to protect legitimate protests from criminal infiltration.

As part of efforts to bring services closer to the people, Omollo announced the gazettement of 1,105 new administrative units for the fiscal year 2024/25.

These include 24 sub-counties, 88 divisions, 318 locations, and 675 sub-locations. Mutarakwa Division in Bomet Central and Kapletundo Division in Sotik are among the first beneficiaries.

He added that the Ministry has developed a policy framework and Cabinet memorandum to ensure decentralization is done transparently and equitably, with each administrative unit to have at least two lower-level divisions.